Haman’s own device for Mordecai becomes his downfall, showcasing the power of divine justice.
“Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs who were before the king said, ‘Behold indeed, the gallows standing at Haman’s house fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai who spoke good on behalf of the king!’ And the king said, ‘Hang him on it.’” (v.9) Harbonah was likely a court official in the Persian king’s palace at Susa, the influential royal city located in modern-day southwestern Iran. During this period (roughly 486-465 BC), King Ahasuerus (also known as Xerxes I) reigned over the Persian Empire, which stretched from India to Ethiopia. Harbonah’s interjection highlights a place of execution that Haman had built, aimed initially at Mordecai—who was a Jew and, as the text states, had “spoken good on behalf of the king.” By pointing out this massive gallows, Harbonah effectively unravels Haman’s plot right before the king.
“...the gallows standing at Haman’s house fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai...” (v.9) underscores the irony of Haman’s downfall. Haman was an important official who sought to eliminate the Jewish people and particularly resented Mordecai for not bowing to him (Esther 3:5). Yet now, in the king’s very presence, Haman’s own plan turns against him. The gallows, standing at a height of fifty cubits (about seventy-five feet), represents the dramatic nature of the plot—an extravagant monument of intended destruction now becoming Haman’s humiliating fate. This moment of role reversal fulfills a theme found throughout Scripture: the proud are often brought low, while the humble are lifted up (Luke 14:11).
“And the king said, ‘Hang him on it.’” (v.9) reveals the abrupt and decisive judgment King Ahasuerus delivers. The king, finally aware of Haman’s treachery against Queen Esther’s people, acts swiftly to protect his realm and reward Mordecai’s loyalty. In a broader biblical sense, this profound reversal—where evil is punished using the very means it intended for the righteous—foreshadows God’s sovereignty in the ultimate protection of His people. Although this particular moment in history happens centuries before Jesus’ ministry, believers often see God’s hand weaving redemption for His people throughout both Old and New Testaments (Romans 8:28).
Set to dark mode
Esther 7:9 meaning
“Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs who were before the king said, ‘Behold indeed, the gallows standing at Haman’s house fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai who spoke good on behalf of the king!’ And the king said, ‘Hang him on it.’” (v.9) Harbonah was likely a court official in the Persian king’s palace at Susa, the influential royal city located in modern-day southwestern Iran. During this period (roughly 486-465 BC), King Ahasuerus (also known as Xerxes I) reigned over the Persian Empire, which stretched from India to Ethiopia. Harbonah’s interjection highlights a place of execution that Haman had built, aimed initially at Mordecai—who was a Jew and, as the text states, had “spoken good on behalf of the king.” By pointing out this massive gallows, Harbonah effectively unravels Haman’s plot right before the king.
“...the gallows standing at Haman’s house fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai...” (v.9) underscores the irony of Haman’s downfall. Haman was an important official who sought to eliminate the Jewish people and particularly resented Mordecai for not bowing to him (Esther 3:5). Yet now, in the king’s very presence, Haman’s own plan turns against him. The gallows, standing at a height of fifty cubits (about seventy-five feet), represents the dramatic nature of the plot—an extravagant monument of intended destruction now becoming Haman’s humiliating fate. This moment of role reversal fulfills a theme found throughout Scripture: the proud are often brought low, while the humble are lifted up (Luke 14:11).
“And the king said, ‘Hang him on it.’” (v.9) reveals the abrupt and decisive judgment King Ahasuerus delivers. The king, finally aware of Haman’s treachery against Queen Esther’s people, acts swiftly to protect his realm and reward Mordecai’s loyalty. In a broader biblical sense, this profound reversal—where evil is punished using the very means it intended for the righteous—foreshadows God’s sovereignty in the ultimate protection of His people. Although this particular moment in history happens centuries before Jesus’ ministry, believers often see God’s hand weaving redemption for His people throughout both Old and New Testaments (Romans 8:28).